U.S. patent application number 16/589402 was filed with the patent office on 2020-05-07 for media concentration device and method.
The applicant listed for this patent is Twin City Fan Companies, Ltd.. Invention is credited to Radha Krishna Ganesh, Daniel Khalitov.
Application Number | 20200141422 16/589402 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58721492 |
Filed Date | 2020-05-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200141422 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Khalitov; Daniel ; et
al. |
May 7, 2020 |
MEDIA CONCENTRATION DEVICE AND METHOD
Abstract
An air flow assembly, such as a fan assembly, and associated
methods are shown that may include one or more media dispensing
nozzles. Examples of assemblies and methods are shown that include
nozzles located within hollow vanes. Other examples of fan
assemblies and methods are shown that create multiple cross
sectional vortices that may be useful to concentrate a dispersed
media.
Inventors: |
Khalitov; Daniel; (St. Louis
Park, MN) ; Ganesh; Radha Krishna; (Rogers,
MN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Twin City Fan Companies, Ltd. |
Plymouth |
MN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58721492 |
Appl. No.: |
16/589402 |
Filed: |
October 1, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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15358545 |
Nov 22, 2016 |
10465704 |
|
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16589402 |
|
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|
62342239 |
May 27, 2016 |
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62259904 |
Nov 25, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04D 29/22 20130101;
F04D 31/00 20130101; F04D 29/544 20130101; F04D 13/12 20130101;
F04D 29/705 20130101; F04D 29/02 20130101; F25C 2303/046 20130101;
F04D 29/44 20130101; F05D 2300/603 20130101; F04D 29/542 20130101;
F04D 25/06 20130101; F05D 2240/121 20130101; F25C 3/04 20130101;
F25C 2303/048 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F04D 29/44 20060101
F04D029/44; F04D 13/12 20060101 F04D013/12; F04D 29/02 20060101
F04D029/02; F04D 29/22 20060101 F04D029/22; F04D 31/00 20060101
F04D031/00; F25C 3/04 20060101 F25C003/04; F04D 29/54 20060101
F04D029/54; F04D 25/06 20060101 F04D025/06; F04D 29/70 20060101
F04D029/70 |
Claims
1. A fan assembly, comprising: a fluid passage region defined
between an outer housing and an inner housing; a fan motor located
within the inner housing; an impeller coupled to the fan motor to
drive a fluid through the fluid passage region; a number of hollow
vanes located within the fluid passage region to direct a fluid
flow through the fluid passage region; and one or more nozzles
located substantially within at least one of the hollow vanes
having an outlet positioned to dispense a media within the fluid
passage region.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/358,545, filed Nov. 22, 2016, which
application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 62/342,239, filed May 27, 2016, and
U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/259,904, filed Nov.
25, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference in their entireties.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Embodiments described herein generally relate to fan
assemblies and devices that utilize fan assemblies. Specific
embodiments may include media dispensing nozzles, and be configured
to create vortices.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Fans may be used for a number of applications. One
application may include utilizing a fan to blow a media, such as a
liquid or a solid in a desired direction. In one example, a snow
making machine blows water into the air, where it freezes in to
snow. In another example, water is blown into a dusty environment,
where the water traps the dust and removes it from the air. In
another example, leaves may be blown into a pile with greater
accuracy and greater distance. Improved control of air from such
fans is desired. Improved media dispersal fan arrangements are
desired.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a fan assembly according to an
example of the invention.
[0005] FIG. 2 shows a cross section view of a fan assembly
according to an example of the invention.
[0006] FIG. 3A shows a top view of a portion of a fan assembly
according to an example of the invention.
[0007] FIG. 3B shows a side view of a vane according to an example
of the invention.
[0008] FIG. 3C shows an end view of a vane according to an example
of the invention.
[0009] FIG. 4 shows another end view of a vane according to an
example of the invention.
[0010] FIG. 5 shows a top view of a portion of a fan assembly
according to an example of the invention.
[0011] FIG. 6 shows another top view of a portion of a fan assembly
according to an example of the invention.
[0012] FIG. 7A shows a side view of a portion of an air flow device
according to an example of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 7B shows a top view of a portion of the air flow device
from FIG. 7A according to an example of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 8A shows a diagram of air flow according to an example
of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 8B shows a block diagram of a fan assembly generating
multiple cross sectional vortices according to an example of the
invention.
[0016] FIG. 9 shows an example method of operation according to an
example of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0017] In the following detailed description, reference is made to
the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is
shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the
invention may be practiced. In the drawings, like numerals describe
substantially similar components throughout the several views.
These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable
those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other
embodiments may be utilized and structural, or logical changes,
etc. may be made without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
[0018] FIG. 1 shows one example of a fan assembly 100. The fan
assembly includes an inlet 114, and an outlet 112. A flow housing
118 is located between the inlet 114 and the outlet 112. A number
of vanes 120 are located within a flow housing 118. In the example
of FIG. 1, a windband 110 may be further coupled above the flow
housing 118, although the invention is not so limited. The vanes
120 are shown spaced about the flow housing 118. A first vane side
124, a second vane side 126, and a vane tip 128 define a hollow
space within the vane 120 that allows external air to enter a motor
housing and/or a flow space 117 shown in more detail in FIG. 2. A
portion of the motor 130 can be seen through one of the hollow
vanes 120.
[0019] FIG. 2 shows a cross section view of an example fan assembly
100 from FIG. 1. An impeller 132 is shown that is coupled to a
motor 130. In the example shown, the motor 130 is housed within an
interior space of the flow housing 118. FIG. 2 shows a motor
housing 119 that is located within the flow housing 118, and
defining a flow space 117 located between the flow housing 118 and
the motor housing 119. FIG. 2 further shows the number of vanes 120
located within the flow space 117, and bridging between an inner
diameter of the flow housing 118 to an outer diameter of the motor
housing 119.
[0020] In one example, one or more components of the fan assembly
100 are formed from carbon fiber composite material. Example
components that may be formed from carbon fiber composite material
include, but are not limited to, the flow housing 118; the motor
housing 119; the windband 110, and the vanes 120. Carbon fiber
composite material has a high strength to weight ratio, and is very
resilient. Advantages of forming one or more components from carbon
fiber composite material include decreased weight, that provides
ease of moving the fan assembly 100, and increased safety. The
toughness of carbon fiber composite material, and resistance to
catastrophic failure will better contain foreign objects within the
housing(s) 118, 119, or windbands 110, etc. such as rocks or ice
chunks that may be accidentally drawn into the impeller during
operation. Carbon fiber composite components such as housing(s)
118, 119, or windbands 110 will also better contain any broken
components such as fragments of impeller in the case of a breakage
due to a foreign object.
[0021] In one example, the vanes 120 are hollow vanes, as will be
discussed in more detail below. In selected examples, hollow vanes
120 may permit air to flow between the inner diameter of the flow
housing 118 the motor 130, located within the motor housing 119. In
one example, hollow vanes 120 may provide access to an interior of
the vanes 120 to supply a media to a nozzle located within one or
more of the hollow vanes 120. Nozzle location and operation are
described in more detail in examples below.
[0022] In one example, the vanes 120 are asymmetric. As will be
described in more detail below, asymmetric vanes 120 provide a
number of advantages, including, hut not limited to noise reduction
as a result of reducing harmonics in the fan assembly. In one
example, asymmetric vanes are configured to generate multiple cross
sectional vortices at a downstream end of the fan assembly 100. One
advantages of multiple cross sectional vortices includes the
ability to focus a stream of media that is injected into air flow
from the fan assembly 100.
[0023] In one example, the asymmetric vanes include substantially
identical vanes that are asymmetrically located with respect to one
another. In one example, the asymmetric vanes include vanes with
different geometries that are symmetrically located with respect to
one another. In one example, the asymmetric vanes include vanes
with different geometries that are asymmetrically located with
respect to one another. In other words, the asymmetry may be in
vane geometry, vane location or both vane geometry and vane
location.
[0024] FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate a number of vane dimensions that may
be varied to provide asymmetric vanes within the fan assembly 100.
FIG. 3A shows a number of vanes 220, similar to previously
described vanes 120, spaced within a flow space 217. In the example
shown, the flow space 217 is defined between a motor housing 259
and a flow housing 258. As discussed above, in one example, the
vanes 220 are asymmetric vanes, which may provide advantages such
as reduced fan noise and/or creation of multiple cross sectional
vortices at a downstream end of the fan assembly 100.
[0025] In one example of asymmetric vanes, an angle 205 between
vanes 220 is asymmetric. In one example of asymmetric vanes, a
sweep angle 208 from one vane to another is asymmetric. In one
example of asymmetric vanes, an angle between leading edge
centerlines 206 from one vane to another is asymmetric. In one
example of asymmetric vanes, an inner vane thickness 204 from one
vane to another is asymmetric. In one example of asymmetric vanes,
an outer vane thickness 202 from one vane to another is
asymmetric.
[0026] FIG. 3B shows other examples of vane dimensions that may be
varied to provide asymmetric vanes. In one example, a vane offset
height 212 from a motor plane line 211 is varied from one vane to
another. In one example, a first vane length 214 is varied from one
vane to another. In one example, a second vane length 216 is varied
from one vane to another. In one example, a third vane length 218
is varied from one vane to another. In one example, a vane yaw
angle 210 is varied from one vane to another.
[0027] FIG. 3C shows other examples of vane dimensions that may be
varied to provide asymmetric vanes. The vane 220 shown in the
Figure includes a first vane side 225 and a second vane side 227,
with an open trailing edge 229 of the vane 220. In one example, the
open trailing edge 229 may be used in conjunction with one or more
nozzles as describe in FIG. 4.
[0028] In one example, a trailing edge angle 221 is varied from one
vane to another. In one example, a leading edge angle 222 is varied
from one vane to another. In one example, a camber line radius 224
is varied from one vane to another. In one example, a leading edge
curvature radius 226 is varied from one vane to another. In one
example, a vane thickness 228 at a vane midsection is varied from
one vane to another. In one example, a vane thickness 230 at vane
length 216 is varied from one vane to another.
[0029] FIG. 4 shows a cross section of an example vane 420, similar
to vanes 220 and 120 from Figures above. The vane 420 includes a
first vane side 425 and a second vane side 427. A leading edge 423
and a trailing edge 429 are shown. In the example of FIG. 4, the
trailing edge 429 is open. The vane 420 is a hollow vane, with an
interior space 402.
[0030] In one example a nozzle 410 is located within the interior
space 402 of the vane 420. In one example, the nozzle 410 is
configured for delivery of a media 412, shown in FIG. 4 spraying
from the nozzle 410. Examples of media may include, but are not
limited to, water, super cooled water, a chemical nucleating agent
and/or mixtures of media such as super cooled water and a
nucleating agent. Other media may include any liquid or gas
suitable for targeted distribution using fan systems described in
the present disclosure. In one example, a fan system equipped with
one or more nozzles may include a snow making system. In one
example, a fan system equipped with one or more nozzles may include
a dust suppression system.
[0031] By including the nozzle 410 within a hollow vane 420 that
has an open trailing edge 429, a media 412 can be delivered within
an airstream generated by a fan system, while minimally disrupting
air flow around the vanes 420. Further, when nozzles 410 are
located within vanes 420 they take up less space, and the
associated fan assembly can be made more compact.
[0032] Although FIG. 4 shows a nozzle 410 located within a vane
420, the invention is not so limited. Other examples include
nozzles 410 that are located elsewhere within a fan assembly that
utilize the concept of multiple cross sectional vortices that are
described in more detail with respect to FIG. 6 below.
[0033] FIG. 5 shows an example fan assembly 500 according to an
embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 shows a number of vanes 520,
similar to previously described vanes 120, 220, 420, spaced within
a flow space 517. In the example shown, the flow space 517 is
defined between a motor housing 559 and a flow housing 558. As
discussed above, in one example, the vanes 520 are asymmetric
vanes, which may provide advantages such as reduced fan noise
and/or creation of multiple cross sectional vortices at a
downstream end of the fan assembly 500.
[0034] A number of nozzles 510 are shown located within vanes 520
of the fan assembly 500. Although in FIG. 5, all vanes 520 include
a respective nozzle 510, the invention is not so limited. Other
examples may include fewer nozzles 510 that vanes 520, for example,
a nozzle 510 in every other vane, or some other configuration with
fewer nozzles 510 than vanes 520.
[0035] The vanes 520 in FIG. 5 are hollow vanes, and have an
opening 522 through the flow housing 558 that permits access to
nozzles 510 that are located within the vanes 520. In the example
shown, a number of media supply lines 504 are coupled to the
nozzles 510 through the openings 522, and are configured to
transmit a selected media, or mixture of media from a supply 502,
through the media supply lines 504, to the nozzles 510. Although
the invention is not limited to configurations with nozzles 510
located within hollow vanes 520, this configuration provides
advantages such as a more compact design and more streamlined air
flow over the vanes 520 because the nozzles are sheltered within
the vanes, while the media is introduced to airflow through open
trailing edges of vanes 520.
[0036] FIG. 6 shows an example fan assembly 600 according to an
embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6 shows a number of vanes 620,
similar to previously described vanes 620, 620, 620, and 520,
spaced within a flow space 617. In the example shown, the flow
space 617 is defined between a motor housing 659 and a flow housing
658. As discussed above, in one example, the vanes 620 are
asymmetric vanes, which may provide advantages such as reduced fan
noise and/or creation of multiple cross sectional vortices at a
downstream end of the fan assembly 600.
[0037] In one example, the vanes 620 may include hollow vanes as
described in examples above. A number of nozzles 622 are shown. In
the example of FIG. 6, the number of nozzles 622 are coupled to a
surface of the vanes 620 within the flow space 617. In the example
shown, the number of nozzles 622 are arranged within the flow space
617 in a configuration to generate multiple cross sectional
vortices at a downstream end of the fan assembly 600. For example,
arrows show a direction of spray 625 for nozzles 622. The direction
of spray 625 moves air and/or media around in converging
direction's towards the bottom of the Figure in FIG. 6. When the
spray from either side of the fan assembly 600 meets at the bottom
of the Figure, the air flow is directed upwards into two cross
sectional vortices as the flow exits at a downstream end of the fan
assembly 600. Although two vortices are used as an example, it will
be appreciated that other nozzle 622 arrangements can be used to
generate other numbers of vortices, such as three, four, etc.
[0038] In one example, nozzles 623 are used to deliver a different
media type from the media delivered by nozzles 622. In one example,
nozzles 622 deliver water, and nozzles 623 deliver a nucleating
agent, such as a particulate. In one example, the water and
nucleating agent may be combined in operation to form a snow making
machine. Although the locations of nozzles 622 and 623 are
specifically shown in FIG. 6, the locations are examples only. In
other examples, nucleating agents and water may be introduced at
other locations within the flow space 617.
[0039] In the example shown, a number of media supply lines 604 are
coupled to the nozzles 622, and are configured to transmit a
selected media, or mixture of media from a supply 602, through the
media supply lines 604, to the nozzles 622. In one example, a
separate supply line 605 is used to supply a secondary media, such
as a nucleating agent.
[0040] FIG. 7A shows an air flow device 700 according to one
example. A number of nozzles 702 are located around a periphery of
a housing 710. The housing 710 includes an outlet 712 and an inlet
714, In one example steam is injected at high pressure along arrows
706 into the housing 710 near the inlet 714. Due to the high
velocity of the steam, external air is drawn into the inlet along
arrows 716. In a snow making example, the external air may cool the
steam to turn it into snow. In one example, one or more nozzles 702
may provide a nucleating agent. In one example, one or more nozzles
702 may provide steam. In one example, steam and a nucleating agent
may be mixed, and injected through the same nozzle.
[0041] FIG. 7B shows a top view of the air flow device 700 from
FIG. 7A. The number of nozzles 702 are shown arranged in specific
directions to provide multiple cross sectional vortices at the
outlet 712 of the housing 710. The steam is injected at high
pressure along arrows 706, which moves the steam and/or mixing
external air around in converging direction's towards the bottom of
the Figure in FIG. 7B. When steam from either side of the air flow
device 700 meets at the bottom of the Figure, the air flow is
directed upwards into two cross sectional vortices 722, 724 as the
flow exits at the outlet 712 of the housing 710.
[0042] FIG. 8A shows an example diagram 800 of multiple cross
sectional vortices that may be created using configurations
described above, such as selected configurations of asymmetric
vanes. The diagram 800 includes flow lines 810 that indicate
direction of air flow. The example diagram 800 of FIG. 8A
illustrates two cross sectional vortices, although the invention is
not so limited. More than two cross sectional vortices may be
created in other examples. FIG. 8A shows a first vortex 802, and a
second vortex 804 that are formed adjacent to one another at a
discharge region of a fan assembly as described in examples above.
As a result of the multiple cross sectional vortices, any media 820
introduces within the vortices 802, 804 is concentrated in a
central region 822. Using a snow making device as an example fan
assembly, concentration of media, such as super cooled water, in a
central region 822 can be advantageous if a pile of snow is desired
in one particular location. Additionally, by concentrating media
within the central region 822, the air flow from the fan assembly
may carry the media a larger distance from the fan assembly than if
the media were allowed to randomly disperse as it exited the fan
assembly.
[0043] To further illustrate the diagram 800 of FIG. 8A, FIG. 8B
shows a block diagram of a fan 850 having a central axis 852. An
air inlet side 854 of the fan 850 is shown, along with an air
discharge region 856. A cross sectional plane 860 is shown to
illustrate the example plane indicated by diagram 800 in FIG. 8A.
The first vortex 802 and the second vortex 804 are shown exiting
the discharge region 856, and traveling away from the fan 850.
[0044] Although asymmetric vanes are discussed as a technique used
to generate multiple cross sectional vortices, the invention is not
so limited. In another example of a vortex generation modifier, a
number of deflectors may be located within the fan assembly or at
the discharge region 856 of the fan. In another example, the
nozzles may be angled to swirl the air flow as the media is
introduced, creating multiple cross sectional vortices. In another
example, multiple fans may be used, such as counter rotating fans
located side by side to create multiple cross sectional
vortices.
[0045] FIG. 9 shows a flow diagram of an example method according
to an embodiment of the invention. In operation 902, air is moved
through a fluid passage region of a fan assembly, the fluid passage
region defined between an outer housing and an inner housing. In
operation 904, media is introduced to the moving air. In operation
906, a direction of the air within the fluid passage region is
altered using a number of asymmetric vanes located within the fluid
passage region. Lastly, in operation 908, multiple cross sectional
vortices are generated at a downstream end of the fluid passage
such that the media is preferentially concentrated in a middle
portion of an exit stream.
[0046] To better illustrate the method and apparatuses disclosed
herein, a non-limiting list of embodiments is provided here:
[0047] Example 1 includes a fan assembly, including a fluid passage
region defined between an outer housing and an inner housing, a fan
motor located within the inner housing, an impeller coupled to the
fan motor to drive a fluid through the fluid passage region, a
number of hollow vanes located within the fluid passage region to
direct a fluid flow through the fluid passage region, and one or
more nozzles located substantially within at least one of the
hollow vanes having an outlet positioned to dispense a media within
the fluid passage region.
[0048] Example 2 includes the fan assembly of example 1 wherein the
one or more nozzles are positioned to dispense the media from an
open trailing edge of at least one of the hollow vanes.
[0049] Example 3 includes the fan assembly of any one of examples
1-2, wherein the one or more nozzles are configured to dispense a
liquid.
[0050] Example 4 includes the fan assembly of any one of examples
1-3, wherein the one or more nozzles are configured to dispense a
super cooled liquid.
[0051] Example 5 includes the fan assembly of any one of examples
1-4, wherein the one or more nozzles are configured to dispense
water.
[0052] Example 6 includes the fan assembly of any one of examples
1-5, wherein the one or more nozzles are configured to dispense
pressurized air.
[0053] Example 7 includes the fan assembly of any one of examples
1-6, wherein the one or more nozzles are configured to dispense
solid particles.
[0054] Example 8 includes the fan assembly of any one of examples
1-7, wherein the one or more nozzles are configured to dispense
both liquid and solid particle media.
[0055] Example 9 includes the fan assembly of any one of examples
1-8, wherein the one or more nozzles are configured for use as a
snow making device.
[0056] Example 10 includes the fan assembly of any one of examples
1-9, wherein the one or more nozzles are configured for use as a
dust suppression device.
[0057] Example 11 includes the fan assembly of any one of examples
1-10, wherein one or more of the inner and outer housing is formed
from carbon fiber composite material.
[0058] Example 12 includes a fan assembly, including a fluid
passage region defined between an outer housing and an inner
housing, a fan motor located within the inner housing, an impeller
coupled to the fan motor to drive a fluid through the fluid passage
region, a number of vanes located within the fluid passage region
to direct a fluid flow through the fluid passage region, and a
vortex generation modifier configured to generating multiple cross
sectional vortices at a downstream end of the fluid passage
region.
[0059] Example 13 includes the fan assembly of example 12 wherein
the vortex generation modifier includes a number of asymmetric
vanes.
[0060] Example 14 includes the fan assembly of any one of examples
12-13, wherein the vortex generation modifier includes a number of
nozzles arranged at angles relative to the fluid passage
region.
[0061] Example 15 includes the fan assembly of any one of examples
12-14, wherein the vortex generation modifier includes multiple
fans to generate the multiple cross sectional vortices.
[0062] Example 16 includes the fan assembly of any one of examples
12-15, wherein the vortex generation modifier includes one or more
deflectors.
[0063] Example 17 includes the fan assembly of any one of examples
12-16, wherein one or more of the inner and outer housing is formed
from carbon fiber composite material.
[0064] Example 18 includes a method of dispensing a media,
including moving air through a fluid passage region of a fan
assembly, the fluid passage region defined between an outer housing
and an inner housing, introducing a media to the moving air,
altering a direction of the air within the fluid passage region
using a number of asymmetric vanes located within the fluid passage
region, and generating multiple cross sectional vortices at a
downstream end of the fluid passage such that the media is
preferentially concentrated in a middle portion of an exit
stream.
[0065] Example 19 includes the method of example 18, wherein the
middle portion of the exit stream is concentrated along a line
between centers of two vortices.
[0066] Example 20 includes the method of any one of examples 18-19,
wherein the middle portion of the exit stream is a centroid of the
exit stream.
[0067] Example 21 includes the method of any one of examples 18-20,
wherein generating multiple cross sectional vortices includes
deflecting air and media after it passes the number of asymmetric
vanes.
[0068] The above detailed description includes references to the
accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed
description. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific
embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. These
embodiments are also referred to herein as "examples." Such
examples can include elements in addition to those shown or
described. However, the present inventors also contemplate examples
in which only those elements shown or described are provided.
Moreover, the present inventors also contemplate examples using any
combination or permutation of those elements shown or described (or
one or more aspects thereon, either with respect to a particular
example (or one or more aspects thereof), or with respect to other
examples (or one or more aspects thereof) shown or described
herein.
[0069] In this document, the terms "a" or "an" are used, as is
common in patent documents, to include one or more than one,
independent of any other instances or usages of "at least one" or
"one or more." In this document, the term "or" is used to refer to
a nonexclusive or, such that "A or B" includes "A but not B," "B
but not A," and "A and B," unless otherwise indicated. In this
document, the terms "including" and "in which" are used as the
plain-English equivalents of the respective terms "comprising" and
"wherein." Also, in the following claims, the terms "including" and
"comprising" are open-ended, that is, a system, device, article,
composition, formulation, or process that includes elements in
addition to those listed after such a term in a claim are still
deemed to fall within the scope of that claim. Moreover, in the
following claims, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc.
are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical
requirements on their objects.
[0070] The above description is intended to be illustrative, and
not restrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one
or more aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each
other. Other embodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary
skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The Abstract
is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. .sctn. 1.72(b), to allow the
reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure.
It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to
interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Also, in the
above Detailed Description, various features may be grouped
together to streamline the disclosure. This should not be
interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosed feature is
essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter may lie in
less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment. Thus,
the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed
Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate
embodiment, and it is contemplated that such embodiments can be
combined with each other in various combinations or permutations.
The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to
the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to
which such claims are entitled.
* * * * *